Though Jim Riggleman insisted all spring Ivan Rodriguez would be his Opening Day catcher, the Nationals manager never said Pudge would be his everyday catcher. There has been an understanding all along that Wilson Ramos would be getting a significant number of at-bats, and eventually taking over as the team's No. 1 catcher.

So it's not really a surprise that Ramos is behind the plate today in only the season's second game. I don't think he's suddenly become the everyday guy himself, but if it wasn't clear already, it should be now: Ramos is at the very least splitting the job with Rodriguez.

John Lannan takes the mound for the Nationals, facing a Braves lineup that is unchanged from Opening Day. Right-hander Tommy Hanson starts for Atlanta. Plenty of updates to come…

When I look at the Braves line up I am very afraid. I think that they are going to give the Fillies a tough time this season. It will be interesting to see if Ankiel can be a second lead-off, Espi moves him over, Ramos gets him in.

Hi Everybody. I've been a long time follower of this blog but only an every-now-and-again poster. Today, I ask for your help in something that is only slightly baseball related. I, Matt Meixler, am a contestant in Brian Wilson's Beard Bracket (http://brianwilson38.com/2011/03/beardmadness) and I would greatly appreciate your support. Yes, this is shameless self promotion and I completely understand if you hate me for it. I promise not to make a habit of it. I was just hoping some of you would be willing to help a fellow D.C. sports fan out.Also: Go Nats! I think a curly W is in our not-too-distant future.

Does the catching situation carry over a prevailing thought from last year that Lannan just didn't want Pudge catching him (or visa-versa)? IIRC, Lannan and Pudge may have only been teamed up together once or twice.Just wonderin'.

They took him out because of the rain delay – he warmed up twice, and the first one (before the game) was extended because the start was also delayed by rain. So he did pitch the 5th, and by the way Gaudin, Slaten, and Clippard are stinking up the 6th, I bet Riggleman is wishing he had given Lannan the 6th too….

3 pitching changes and one double switch later we are out of the inning; yeah Riggs is in mid season form and Navy Nats Fan; your point would be valid if they hadn't brought Lannan back after the delay but since they did and he was effective they probably should have stayed with him.

JD – I agree with you. To bring him back for just the 1 inning means that he was trying to give him the potential win only. That is risky health wise and unnecessary. His pitch count was very low for a normal start and he was effective. Either he can go longer, or bring out Gorzy.

JD – I think they just wanted to leave him in long enough to have a chance at getting the win and were planning to only leave him in for one inning. Of course, that was Lannan's only 1-2-3 inning all day. I agree – as well as he pitched the 5th I would have let him at least start the 6th.

There is a reason Riggs is managing and none of us are. I bet not one of the arm chair managers saw that bunt coming. Great job Riggs!He got Clip in to end the rally, and the defensive replacement needed at this juncture.A solid double switch.

dj – The squeeze worked well with the element of surprise and executed perfectly by Ankiel and Zim.Not sure how Riggles can trust Storen in the closer role at this point in time, and thank goodness there was a 3 run lead when he gave up that HR. Still upset that the Nats seem to still have all close calls by the umps going the way of the Braves. I thought that only happened because of Bobby Cox!

Amazing, we are up 5-3 in an excellent game and all you guys do is b#%ch about Riggs. I like that he has kept the bullpen responsible so far. If you screw up, you are coming out. Great shot of McCaty and Pudge talking to Storen after the 8th. Storen was pissed but guess what, you gave up a homerun and Riggs went with the lefty knowing Atl. had no one RH pinch hitters in the dugout. Really hoping Burnett will thrive in this role and handle these last 3 outs! Zimm!! up 6-3 how sweet it is. Go Nats!!

Nice win and glad to see Mark agrees with me on Riggs. He made lots of moves today in a tense game and almost all of them worked.How about Desmond, 0-8 and yet he made several solid plays in the field and the play on the 9th inning on the 2nd base side was super. Has a relief pitcher ever won the gold glove? (Just kidding but man those were two fine plays.)Loved the way this game was played today. We look like we can play with anyone this year.

Great and interesting game.My take on the Bullpen through 2 games:Burnett should be the full-time 9th inning closer. A gold glove potential as well :)Clippard is shining in high leverage situations, and should stay in that role to work the 7th/8th innings when the game is on the line (perfect setup man).Storen should be used cautiously in spot setup to get his confidence back.

CWJ, totally agree with your thoughts on the 'pen.Also, nice to say the words, The Nats are tied in the standings with the Braves!!!!Ramos called a great game and hitting a cool .750 with those 3 doinks.

Anonymous @ 6:49 p.m.re: Ramos sent back to first after stealing 2ndI was watching on MASN and FP and Bobby Carpenter said that the catcher interefered with Laynce Nix's swing on the play (he wasn't allowed enough room for a follow-through) and it was automatically a dead ball play. Riggleman came out to argue – apparently saying that the catcher and the Braves shouldn't benefit from their own 'foul' as it were, but the ump was un-persuaded.It was nice to see some (relative) speed from the Catcher position, though.Mark in Arlington

was dissappointed how quick Gaudin got the hook; if you are going to have that little faith in the guy then release him and bring up Balestar.At least you were all spared the ATL broadcast… homers at their worst. Not good plays by Burnett in the 9th, just hard hit balls that found the glove. Maybe that is true, but had a Brave done it they there would already be a statue out front of the stadium being constructed.Good to get the first curly W in the books, now the first series win.

<>I actually loved how Riggs handled the pitching changes there. As soon as it was evident someone couldn't get the job done, they were pulled. Accountability. Why let him stay up there and lose you the game? I think Riggs actually managed this game pretty well, though I'd imagine if that suicide squeeze didn't work, I'd be singing a different tune. But a win will brighten anyone's hindsight on a game.Back to .500!

A number of folks have suggested that since Lannan had pitched the 5th, he should have pitched the 6th since he only had 68 pitches (or, conversely, that putting him out for the 5th was "only" to get a win).I disagree with both of that. First of all, putting him out in the fifth means one less inning for the bullpen. As for why he was taken out of the sixth, it's possible that although the pitch count was only 68, all the extra warming up is sort-of-equivalent to a number of extra pitches, which may have been close enough to his first-game of the season (particularly with the cold weather).